Carhartt Men's Big & Tall Storm Defender Heavyweight Jacket - Waterproof Windproof Work Jacket for Outdoor Construction & Winter Activities (Regular & Big Tall Sizes)

Though I don't have a lot of experience with good rain gear to compare to I can compare it to all those thin nylon plastic coated jackets out there. Well not really there is no comparison. Even the "good ones" fail compared to this jacket. I work outside, rain or shine, during all four seasons in Maine. In my younger years I didn't mind getting wet, now, I freeze to death and have a miserable day. So I decided it was time to dress properly. This jacket is not just a rain jacket, you could wear it as an every day jacket, and it's tough enough and made very well and could even be a regular work coat (FYI the same can be said for the Shoreline Bibs). It does not build up heat and humidity, though I have yet to wear it in 90 degree, 93% humidity Maine August. But when it arrived I put it and the bibs on and wore them in my 70 degree house for two hours doing normal things. I never got hot or clammy. It feels like a really heavy thick jacket, and it is as far as toughness, but the weight doesn't equal insulation. A note on sizing, I would generally wear a large, but I wanted this for four seasons in the colder months I wear a lot of layers. So I got the XL thinking I would need the space. Well I have the space alright lol. So to sum that up, order your normal size, you do not need to consider layering in your size choice. I'm tall with long arms, the sleeves are perfect if not a hair to long, the body has a bit to much extra space in the XL. I'm around 200-210lbs, 6'1, I feel the Large would have been a perfect fit.So far I have worn it through two nine hour rainy work days, one day was the all day, slow dreary drizzle that nobody likes. Jacket laughed it off.Second day was more of a shower all day, with wind. Again the jacket laughed it off.The only somewhat negative thing I've noticed which really isn't an issue for me, but might be for some depending on what your doing when you want to wear it. After being in all day rain, the jacket gains some weight. You don't get wet or damp, but the outer shell of the jacket does soak up water which makes it's way down the jacket and drips off, the harder the rain the heavier the jacket. Although this is a great way for the jacket to be rugged and be well waterproof at the same time, it has two issues, one the weight might be an issue for some and two, water pulls heat away from your body. The more water there is in the jacket the colder you get. This can be solved by layering, but can be difficult in some temperature ranges when trying to work. However, the coldness did not become an issue for me until later in the day when I was getting tired.Now a word on the toughness. I work in a Plant nursery, trees, shrubs, perennials I am the senior crew person. I spend my days wrestling root balls, climbing around in bushes, scraping through trees, tromping through mud, carrying anything from paper work to concrete blocks to a daisy for grandma. I work around heavy machinery and dangerous equipment. I run, walk, bend, climb, jump, lift, pull, pickup, put down, carry, and most of it is heavy, dirty,physical, wet, demanding work so all of my work gear gets very extensive testing.Order your regular jacket size, and you will not regret buying this jacket. I don't regret a single dollar spent and I got a size to big so.